Red Bulls open CCL campaign against desperate CD FAS

In a light week of CONCACAF Champions League action, the New York Red Bulls are the only MLS team in action as they get their campaign underway on Tuesday night.

The Red Bulls host El Salvador club CD FAS at Red Bull Arena and will need a win in order to avoid having to play catch-up in Group 3. The Montreal Impact have already beaten FAS twice to sit on six points in the group, which means New York will be facing a desperate Central American side that needs points to prevent being eliminated from the competition early.

Red Bulls head coach Mike Petke has confirmed one starter for tonight’s game, back-up goalkeeper Ryan Meara, but has not revealed how many of his regulars could feature. It seems unlikely that Thierry Henry and Jamison Olave start, but Petke has said that he intends to field an experienced side.

Some of the veterans Petke could turn to that have not played much in recent weeks are centerback Armando, midfielder Peguy Luyindula and right back Richard Eckersley. They could also be joined by newcomers Damien Perrinelle and Saer Sene, who are the only two reinforcements brought in by the club this summer.

Others players in contention to see time are youngsters like Matt Miazga, Ruben Bover and Marius Obekop, and they will look to deliver stellar performances if they do play in order to try and see more minutes in the remainder of the tournament and in MLS games down the stretch.

There are a total of eight CONCACAF Champions League matches going on through the end of the week, but the other MLS teams involved in the tournament – D.C., Kansas City, Montreal and Portland – are all inactive.

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Which players would you like to see Mike Petke select for tonight’s lineup? Should the Red Bulls rest most of their starters ahead of the D.C. United match?